Sue Bredekamp on Formative Assessment Part 2

Summary

This transcript highlights the challenges teachers face in using developmental continuums and learning trajectories to guide children’s growth. While progress has been made in providing these tools, a gap remains in how to apply them effectively. The discussion critiques the over-reliance on assessment as the primary driver for educational planning, with a call for a stronger focus on curriculum that bridges the gap between assessment and teaching. The transcript also emphasizes the resistance to structured curricula and advocates for a more balanced approach to achieving learning outcomes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers often struggle with knowing what to do with developmental information once they have it.
• 😀 Without proper developmental continuums or learning trajectories, teachers can’t effectively assess or scaffold children's progress.
• 😀 Providing teachers with developmental continuums or learning trajectories helps them understand where children should be and predict their next steps.
• 😀 There is a gap in how teachers are supported to move from assessment to action, especially in creating curriculum that helps children progress.
• 😀 One of the biggest issues in education is the lack of curriculum to bridge the gap between assessment and student outcomes.
• 😀 Teachers are often too focused on preparing students for assessments rather than planning curriculum to achieve learning outcomes.
• 😀 Curriculum is a crucial component missing from the conversation, and its absence makes the teaching process less effective.
• 😀 The field has seen improvement in tools for teachers over the last decade, but a focus on curriculum development remains necessary.
• 😀 There’s a strong tradition of emergent curriculum, but without structured planning, it becomes challenging to meet learning standards.
• 😀 Effective teaching requires highly qualified teachers, especially when using project-based or child-driven curriculum approaches.
• 😀 The education system needs to shift focus to develop more targeted, curriculum-based strategies to improve outcomes for children.

Q & A

What is the main challenge teachers face when using assessment data?

The main challenge teachers face is understanding what to do with the information once they have it. Specifically, it's difficult to know how to scaffold children's learning effectively without a clear understanding of where children are on a developmental continuum.

What assumption is made about teachers in the script?

The script assumes that teachers have been provided with a developmental continuum or learning trajectory for their students. However, it points out that these tools are not always available to teachers.

Why are developmental continuums or learning trajectories important for teachers?

These tools are important because they help teachers understand where children are in their development and predict what the next steps should be, allowing them to scaffold children's learning effectively.

What is the role of scaffolding in the learning process according to the script?

Scaffolding refers to the support provided by teachers to help children progress along the learning continuum. Teachers need clear guidance on how to support children in moving from one developmental stage to the next.

What gap in education does the script highlight?

The script highlights a gap between assessment and curriculum. Teachers often have assessment tools but lack the necessary curriculum to guide students from their current level to the next stage of development.

How does the script describe the current state of curriculum in early childhood education?

The script suggests that the curriculum in early childhood education is often underdeveloped or lacking, particularly in terms of providing clear pathways for students to progress from one developmental stage to the next.

What impact does assessment have on curriculum and teaching?

In many cases, assessment becomes the driving force behind teaching and curriculum. Teachers often focus on preparing students for assessments, such as work sampling or child observation records, rather than on using curriculum to meet learning standards.

What does the script suggest is the solution to the current educational gap?

The script suggests that more focus and targeted efforts should be directed toward developing curricula that can help students meet the learning standards. This will bridge the gap between assessment and teaching.

Why is emergent curriculum seen as problematic in this context?

Emergent curriculum, while valuable, assumes that teachers can independently create plans based on children's interests. The script argues that this approach requires highly qualified teachers and may not always ensure that children meet learning standards unless carefully designed.

What role do highly qualified teachers play in addressing the issues described in the script?

Highly qualified teachers are essential because they are capable of integrating emergent curriculum with structured learning goals, ensuring that children meet the necessary standards while still fostering individual interests and developmental progress.